Automotive Construction Machine

ABSTRACT

In an automotive construction machine, with a machine frame ( 4 ) with preferably vertically arranged lateral outer walls ( 5 ), a milling drum ( 6 ) mounted in the machine frame ( 4 ) for working a ground surface or traffic surface ( 8 ), and with an operator&#39;s platform ( 10 ), it is provided that the operator&#39;s platform ( 10 ) is moveable on the machine frame ( 4 ) transversely to the direction of travel, and is moveable outwards beyond the lateral outer walls ( 5 ) of the machine frame ( 4 ), that the machine frame ( 4 ) is provided with a guide ( 18 ) for the operator&#39;s platform ( 10 ) acting transversely to the direction of travel, and that the guide ( 18 ) projects laterally either not at all or just slightly beyond the outer walls ( 5 ).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an automotive construction machine, inparticular road milling machine, recycler or a stabilizer.

Such road milling machines are known, for instance, from WO02/01005.Such a road milling machine is provided with a machine frame carried bya chassis, and has essentially vertically arranged lateral outer walls.A milling drum for working a ground surface or traffic surface ismounted inside the machine frame. The road milling machine isfurthermore provided with an operator's platform with an operating andindicating panel, as well as a seat for the machine driver. A stabilizeris known from DE 103 57 074.

The machine driver has to turn around during reverse travel. The seat ofthe machine driver is preferably arranged on the so-called zero side ofthe road milling machine, being that side where the milling drum, withits front end, can be guided closest along an obstacle, for instance,the edge of a curb or a crash barrier.

On that side lying opposite of the zero side, the front end of themilling drum cannot be guided along an obstacle as closely due to thedrive mechanism.

From his seat, which is arranged on the zero side, the machine drivercan observe the outer edge of the machine lying opposite of the zeroside by means of exterior mirrors.

Because of the restricted view and observation possibilities, themachine driver is dependent on an accompanying helper who will assisthim in particular when in maneuvering mode and in milling mode. Thiswill result in very long periods of time, however, in particular when inmilling mode, in which the helper will not be occupied.

The purpose of the invention is, therefore, to further develop aconstruction machine of the type first mentioned above in such a mannerthat the visibility for the machine driver is improved, so that theoperation of a construction machine is possible both in maneuvering modeand in working mode without additional helping persons.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides in an advantageous manner that the operator'splatform is moveable transversely to the direction of travel, and thatthe seat for the machine driver is integrated into the operator'splatform, which is moveable outwards beyond the lateral outer walls ofthe machine frame, with the said machine frame being provided with aguide for the operator's platform acting transversely to the directionof travel, and the guide projecting either not at all or just slightlybeyond the lateral outer walls. The operator's platform is capable ofbeing moved beyond the lateral outer walls only partially, it beingsufficient that the machine driver in the operator's platform canobserve the lateral outer wall and the area next to the outer wall.

According to the invention, the machine driver can move beyond thelateral outer walls on both sides of the construction machine with hisseat, so that he is able to optimally observe the outer walls of themachine in maneuvering and milling mode. In case of an obstacle, forinstance, a streetlight, the machine driver can also briefly shift hisoperator's platform towards the center until the construction machinehas passed the obstacle.

The operator's platform may be mounted to swivel around a vertical axis,at least in the outer limit positions of the at least one guide, whenbeyond the lateral outer walls. The machine driver can thus be broughtinto an optimal position for observation of the machine when inmaneuvering and milling mode.

The operating and indicating panel is preferably integrated into themoveable operator's platform. In this way, the machine driver will nothave to leave his seat for the purpose of operating the machine, or forreading indicating instruments.

An advantageous further development provides that a column attached atthe moveable operator's platform carries the operating and indicatingpanel in an adjustable distance from the machine driver. In this way,the operating and indicating panel can be ergonomically adapted to eachmachine driver.

A preferred embodiment provides that the height of the seat surface ofthe seat, or the height of the standing surface in the operator'splatform is adjustable in such a manner that the eye level when sittingessentially corresponds to the eye level of the machine driver whenstanding. In this way, it is ensured that the machine driver possessesthe same overview of the machine when sitting as when standing.

The seat is provided with armrests, where operating elements for themachine's control may be arranged in extension of one armrest of theseat.

The operator's platform is preferably enclosed by a weather protectionfacility, which is capable of being moved in conjunction with theoperator's platform.

The weather protection facility may consist of a cabin.

The cabin is preferably capable of being folded down or lowered orfolded over for transport, so as to be able to keep the maximumtransport dimensions of the road milling machine low for bridgeunderpasses when transporting on a low loader. The cabin is, forinstance, capable of being folded around an axis running parallel to thedirection of travel, if its width transverse to the direction of travelis significantly narrower than its height.

The operating and indicating panel is provided with control, operatingand indicating elements for travelling and maneuvering mode, for millingmode, and for monitoring of the milling mode.

Ascending aids for the machine driver may be arranged at the lateralouter walls, the said ascending aids being capable of automaticallyswivelling into a position in which they rest dose to the outer wall forthe purpose of reducing the road milling machine's minimum distance fromobstacles. These ascending aids, for instance, ladders with rails, maybe placed against the outer wall of the road milling machine by means ofelectric or hydraulic remote control, without manual operation orassistance by helping persons, so that the road milling machine can beguided up to obstacles as closely as possible, in particular on the zeroside.

Tilting mirrors may additionally be provided, which are capable ofautomatically swivelling into a position in which they project laterallyeither not at all or just slightly beyond the outer wall for the purposeof reducing the road milling machine's minimum distance from obstacles.

The operator's platform may be provided with a vertical swivelling axisthat runs between the seat and the operating and indicating panel, andpreferably centrally between the seat and the operating and indicatingpanel. In this way, the seat of the machine driver will effect aswivelling movement around the said vertical swivelling axis, whichpreferably runs orthogonally to the machine frame.

The seat of the machine driver may additionally be capable of swivellingeither with the operator's platform or independent of the operator'splatform, so that the reversing mode is also facilitated for the machinedriver. Preferably, a swivelling angle of 180° is sufficient, with alarger rotation angle possibly being of advantage as well.

The swivelling movement around the vertical swivelling axis of theoperator's platform is preferably only released in the outer limitpositions of the seat unit at the ends of the rail guide.

It may be provided that the seat for the machine driver is capable ofswivelling outwards automatically in the outer limit positions of theoperator's platform at the ends of the rail guide. This means that themachine driver will not have to actuate any operating or controlelements to reach an optimal sitting position for observation of theroad surface to be worked, the steering angle, a gauge rod, and themarkings on the road surface.

The seat or the operator's platform and/or the cabin may be capable ofbeing raised into an elevated position for the traveling and maneuveringmode.

The operator's platform may be arranged in front of the machine frameand/or the chassis when seen in the direction of travel, in particularwith a recycler or stabilizer.

The operator's platform may be attached in a moveable manner at a swivelframe of the machine frame, and may be capable of being raised orlowered by means of the swivel frame. In that case, the guide for theoperator's platform, which runs transversely to the direction of travel,is arranged at the swivel frame of the machine frame.

The swivel frame is articulated at the machine frame preferably in aparallelogram-type manner, so that the operator's platform or the cabinrespectively is shifted in parallel direction when raised or lowered.

It is preferably provided that the swivel frame projects vis-à-vis theoperator's platform in height direction and/or transversely to thedirection of travel in such a manner that it forms a rolloverprotection.

In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in moredetail with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a road milling machine.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the road milling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a further top view of the road milling machine shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the road milling machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the road milling machine, where the cabin ofthe operator's platform is in transport position.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the road milling machine in accordance with FIG.5, where the cabin is in transport position.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are a perspective view of a stabilizer.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are a swivel frame of the machine frame of the stabilizerin accordance with

FIGS. 7 and 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a road milling machine 1 for milling ground surfaces ortraffic surfaces 8 in the embodiment of a front-loading road millingmachine. The road milling machine 1 is provided with a chassis 2 with,for example, four crawler track units 3, which carries the machine frame4 of the road milling machine 1. It is understood that the crawler trackunits 3 may be substituted wholly or in part by wheel units. A millingdrum 6, which extends transversely to the direction of travel, ismounted in the machine frame 4. The milling depth is preferably set bymeans of the height adjustment of the crawler track units 3 via liftingcolumns 7. The road milling machine 1 depicted in FIG. 1 is also calleda front-loading road milling machine, as it is capable of conveying themilled material towards the front when seen in the direction of travelonto a transport vehicle. A first transport device 9, consisting of atransport conveyor, is arranged in front of the milling drum 6 when seenin the direction of travel, the said first transport device 9transferring the milled material preferably to a second transport device11 consisting of a transport conveyor. It is understood that the roadmilling machine 1 may also be provided with only one single transportconveyor. The machine frame 4 is provided with essentially verticallyarranged lateral outer walls 5. An operator's platform 10 with anoperating and indicating panel 12 and a seat 14 for the machine driveris arranged on the top side of the machine frame. The seat 14 and theoperating and indicating panel 12 are integrated into the operator'splatform 10, which is moveable transversely to the direction of travel.The operator's platform 10 can be moved outwards beyond the lateralouter walls 5 of the machine frame 4 on a guide 18, preferably a railguide, which is connected to the machine frame 4. The rail guide 18 doespreferably not project laterally beyond the outer walls 5, with theoperator's platform 10 being nonetheless capable of being moved tonearly its center beyond the lateral outer walls 5, as can best be seenfrom FIGS. 2 and 3.

The guide 18 may run linearly or slightly curved in a horizontal planeessentially transverse to the direction of travel, or may consist of aparallel guide in which the operator's platform is shifted in a parallelmanner.

The seat 14 for the machine driver is mounted to swivel. It ispreferably provided that the seat 14 is capable of swivelling inconjunction with an operating and indicating panel 12 around a verticalaxis 32 within the operator's platform 10.

The operating and indicating panel 12 integrated into the moveableoperator's platform 10 is attached at a column 20 in an adjustabledistance from the machine driver for that purpose, and is capable ofswivelling around the vertical axis 32 with the seat 14 or independentof the same.

The seat 14 may be adjustable in height with regard to its seat surfacein such a manner that the eye level of the machine driver when sittingessentially corresponds to the eye level when standing within theoperator's platform 10.

The seat 14 may be provided with armrests 22, which are provided withthe operating elements 24 for the machine's control.

The operator's platform 10 is enclosed by a cabin 26 serving as aweather protection facility. In central position of the cabin 26 betweenthe outer walls 5, the cabin is capable of being lowered relative to themachine frame 4 in such a manner that the upper edge of the cabin 26terminates flush with the machine elements arranged in front of andbehind the cabin 26 and attached to the machine frame 4. The cabin 26 isthus in a transport position to keep the construction height low whentransporting the road milling machine 1 on a low loader.

Alternatively, the cabin may be capable of folding down or capable ofswivelling around a horizontal axis running parallel to the direction oftravel if the cabin 26 is narrow in comparison to its height.

Ascending aids 28 in the form of ladders with hand rails may be arrangedat the lateral outer walls 5, the said ascending aids 28 being capableof swivelling in the direction of the outer wall 5 by means of driveswhen the machine driver is in the operator's platform 10, so that theyrest as closely as possible to the outer wall 5. The ascending aids arepreferably arranged on that side of the road milling machine 1 that liesopposite of the zero side and on which the belt drive 15 for the millingdrum 6 is also arranged.

It is understood, however, that the ascending aids may also be arrangedon the zero side of the road milling machine 1. The zero side of themachine is that side on which the front end of the milling drum 6 endsin very close proximity to the outer wall 5 and on which the belt drive15 is not arranged, so that milling close to edges or close to obstaclesis possible on the zero side of the machine

FIGS. 7 to 10 show a soil stabilizer/recycler 100. The machine frame 4may be carried by a chassis 2 via lifting columns, the said chassis 2preferably being provided with wheels 103. In such a constructionmachine, the operator's platform 10 is located in front of the machineframe 4 and also in front of the chassis 2. The operator's platform 10enclosed by a cabin 26 can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the said operator'splatform 10 being connected to the machine frame 4 via a swivel frame 16of the machine frame 4. The front part of the swivel frame 16 when seenin the direction of travel forms, at the same time, the guide 18 for thecabin 26 which is moveable transversely to the direction of travel.

An ascending aid 28 may be attached at the cabin 26.

FIG. 7 shows the swivel frame 16 of the machine frame 4, which isconnected to the machine frame 4 in a parallelogram-type manner viacontrol arms 102, 104.

Because of the parallelogram-type articulation of the swivel frame 16,it is possible to shift the operator's platform 10 from a lower positionto an upper position and back in a parallel manner without changing theinclination of the cabin 26 relative to a vertical plane that runstransversely to the direction of travel. The inclination may also beadjustable, however, through a suitable design of the parallelogram-typearticulation or through additional devices 108 in longitudinalinclination and/or transverse inclination (FIG. 10).

On the swivel frame 16, guides 18 running parallel to the ground,linearly, or curved in a horizontal plane may be provided at the upperand/or lower cross beams of the swivel frame 16, the said guides 18enabling the operator's platform 10 to be laterally shifted transverselyto the direction of travel. FIG. 7 shows a maximum outer position of theoperator's platform 10, in which the raised cabin 26 projects vis-à-visthe one lateral outer wall 5.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative guide 18 with control arms 110 arranged in aparallelogram-type manner, and a lowered cabin 26.

The upper cross beam of the swivel frame 16 extends across the fullwidth of the machine frame 4 and may also project in height directionupwards beyond the roof of the cabin 26.

The swivel frame 16 may serve as rollover protection (Roll OverProtection Structure, ROPS).

Several tilting mirrors 30 may be arranged at the outer sides of theconstruction machines, in particular at the outer walls 5, the saidmirrors 30 being suitable for operation by the machine driver by meansof drive devices, so that additional persons are not required for theseoperations.

The cabin 26 may be moved into an especially elevated position for themaneuvering mode or the working mode.

Finally, video monitoring devices are arranged in several positions atthe construction machine 1. A video camera 34 is located at the frontend of the transport device 11 of the construction machine 1 shown inFIG. 2 for monitoring the discharge of material from the front transportconveyor 11 onto a means of transport, for instance, a truck.

A video camera 38 may be provided at the rear end of the constructionmachine 1 for monitoring the rearward area. Video cameras 36 may bearranged at the outer walls 5, which allow observation of the left orright machine side respectively in forward direction along the sidewalls 5. On the underside of the machine frame 4, a video camera 40 maybe arranged at the front end of the machine frame 4, which can observethe area in front of the milling drum 6 of the construction machine 1.

As a result, the construction machines described can be operated by onemachine driver without a helping person, as the machine driver can carryout all machine functions without being dependent on the assistance of ahelping person, and without having to leave the operator's platform 10.Because of the video monitoring by means of the video cameras 34 to 40,and the display of the images on the operating and indicating panel 12,the transport of material onto a truck in case of a road millingmachine, and the maneuvering mode when driving the construction machine1 onto a low-loader, can also be carried out by the machine driverwithout a helping person.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been specificallyillustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that minorvariations may be made in the apparatus without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A road milling machine, comprising: a machineframe having a direction of travel, the frame having first and secondlateral outer walls on opposite sides of the machine frame; a pair offront crawler track units and a pair of rear crawler track units forsupporting the machine frame from a ground surface; a milling drumsupported from the machine frame between the front and rear crawlertrack units for working the ground surface; a transport conveyorextending forward from the milling drum for conveying milled materialforward; a plurality of lifting columns connected between the machineframe and the crawler track units for adjusting a milling depth of themilling drum by adjusting a height of the machine frame above the groundsurface; a transverse guide located on the machine frame; and anoperator's platform moveable on the transverse guide transversely to thedirection of travel outward to first and second outer limit positions,in each of the outer limit positions the operator's platform overlyingone of the lateral outer walls of the machine frame and extending onlypartially beyond said one of the lateral outer walls of the machineframe.
 2. The road milling machine of claim 1, further comprising: acabin enclosing the operator's platform, the platform having a seat forthe machine driver located inside the cabin, the operator's platform andthe cabin and the seat being moveable between a raised operatingposition and a lowered transport position.
 3. The road milling machineof claim 2, wherein: the cabin in its lowered transport position has anupper edge terminating substantially flush with elements of the roadmilling machine arranged in front of and behind the cabin.
 4. The roadmilling machine of claim 2, wherein: the cabin folds down around ahorizontal axis.
 5. The road milling machine of claim 2, wherein: theenclosed cabin provides a weather protection facility moveable inconjunction with the operator's platform.
 6. The road milling machine ofclaim 2, wherein: for the purpose of transport, the cabin is capable offolding around a horizontal axis running parallel to the direction oftravel.
 7. The road milling machine of claim 2, wherein a height of aseat surface of the seat, or a height of a standing surface of theoperator's platform is adjustable in such a manner that the eye levelwhen sitting essentially corresponds to the eye level of the machinedriver when standing.
 8. The road milling machine of claim 2, whereinthe seat is provided with armrests, and operating elements for themachine's control are arranged in at least one armrest of the seat. 9.The road milling machine of claim 2, wherein the seat and an operatingand indicating panel are pivotal about a vertical swivelling axislocated centrally between the seat and the operating and indicatingpanel.
 10. The road milling machine of claim 2, wherein the seat iscapable of swivelling within the operator's platform and independent ofthe operator's platform.
 11. The road milling machine of claim 2,wherein the seat for the machine driver is capable of swivellingoutwards automatically in the outer limit positions of the operator'splatform.
 12. The road milling machine of claim 1, wherein: theoperator's platform is mounted for swiveling movement about a verticalaxis at least when in each of the outer limit positions.
 13. The roadmilling machine of claim 12, wherein the swivelling movement of theoperator's platform is released only in the outer limit positions of theoperator's platform.
 14. The road milling machine of claim 1, wherein:the operator's platform is located between the front and rear crawlertrack units.
 15. The road milling machine of claim 1, wherein anoperating and indicating panel is integrated into the moveableoperator's platform.
 16. The road milling machine of claim 15, wherein acolumn attached at the moveable operator's platform carries theoperating and indicating panel in an adjustable distance from themachine driver.
 17. The road milling machine of claim 1, wherein theoperator's platform includes an operating and indicating panel providedwith control, operating and indicating elements for the traveling mode,the milling mode, and for monitoring of the milling mode.
 18. The roadmilling machine of claim 1, further comprising ascending aids for themachine driver arranged at the lateral outer walls, the ascending aidsbeing capable of automatically swivelling into a position in which theyrest close to the outer walls for the purpose of reducing the machine'sminimum distance from obstacles.
 19. The road milling machine of claim1, further comprising tilting mirrors which, when traveling alonglateral obstacles, are capable of automatically swivelling into aposition in which they project laterally either not at all or justslightly beyond the outer walls for the purpose of reducing themachine's minimum distance from obstacles.
 20. The road milling machineof claim 1, further comprising a video camera configured to monitor thedischarge of material from the front transport conveyor onto a means oftransport.
 21. A soil stabilizer or recycler machine, comprising: amachine frame having a direction of travel, the frame having first andsecond lateral outer walls on opposite sides of the machine frame; apair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels for supporting themachine frame from a ground surface; a working drum supported from themachine frame for working the ground surface; a transverse guidesupported from the machine frame; and an operator's platform arranged infront of the machine frame in the direction of travel, the operator'splatform being moveable on the transverse guide transversely to thedirection of travel outward to first and second outer limit positions,in each of the outer limit positions the operator's platform overlyingone of the lateral outer walls of the machine frame and extending onlypartially beyond said one of the lateral outer walls of the machineframe, the operator's platform being enclosed by a cabin, the platformhaving a seat for the machine driver located inside the cabin, theoperator's platform and the cabin and the seat being moveable between araised operating position and a lowered transport position,
 22. Themachine of claim 21, wherein the operator's platform is attached in amoveable manner at a swivel frame of the machine frame, and is capableof being raised and lowered by the swivel frame.
 23. The machine ofclaim 22, wherein the transverse guide for the operator's platform isarranged at the swivel frame of the machine frame.
 24. The machine ofclaim 22, wherein the swivel frame is articulated at the machine framein a parallelogram-type manner.
 25. The machine of claim 22, wherein theswivel frame projects vis-à-vis the operator's platform in heightdirection and/or transversely to the direction of travel in such amanner that the swivel frame forms a rollover protection.
 26. Themachine of claim 21, wherein the operator's platform is adjustable withregard to longitudinal and/or transverse inclination.
 27. A method ofoperating a construction machine, the method comprising: (a) supportinga machine frame from a ground surface on wheels or crawler tracks suchthat the machine frame has a direction of travel; (b) supporting anoperator's platform from the machine frame in a raised operatingposition such that the operator's platform is transversely movablerelative to the machine frame; (c) with the operator's platform in theraised operating position, selectively moving the operator's platformtransversely to either one of first and second outer limit positionswherein the operator's platform extends only partially beyond a lateralouter wall of the machine frame; (d) with the operator's platform in oneof the first and second outer limit positions, moving the machine framein the direction of travel; (e) during step (d), working the groundsurface with a rotating working drum supported from the machine frame;and (f) lowering the operator's platform relative to the machine framefrom the raised operating position to a lowered transport position. 28.The method of claim 27, further comprising: when the operator's platformis in either of the outer limit positions, swiveling the operator'splatform about a vertical axis relative to the machine frame.
 29. Themethod of claim 28, wherein: the swiveling of the operator's platformabout a vertical axis relative to the machine frame is performedautomatically when the operators's platform is in either of the outerlimit positions.
 30. The method of claim 27, wherein: step (f) furthercomprises moving the operator's platform about a horizontal axis. 31.The method of claim 30, wherein the horizontal axis runs parallel to thedirection of travel.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein step (f)further comprises folding the operator's platform about the horizontalaxis.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein the horizontal axis runstransverse to the direction of travel.
 34. The method of claim 33,wherein: step (f) further comprises lowering a parallelogram linkagearticulated to the machine frame and to the operator's platform.